The insecurity among soccer teams cannot get any lower. Europe has been at the forefront of the sport throughout its inception as a professional format. But now the other continents are taking a positive route to grow the sport in their regions. MLS is trying to amplify its reach by hiring Lionel Messi, but after Saudi acquired Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, it has now tried to get innovative. With a new idea in mind, it has triggered an alarm for one European giant’s boss and UEFA. That boss is none other than PSG’s Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
In soccer, clubs get more attention due to the players, which makes it imperative for European teams to be worried about losing them. The Saudi Pro League has picked up momentum from this season. They now are about to take a step further in collaboration with other entities to make it much bigger. So, what is this all about?
PSG and UEFA worried about a possible Saudi mega-plan
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Saudi has invested approximately 950 million dollars in the last transfer window behind the Premier League. With the help of its PIF, the Saudi Pro League has been able to grab some of the best players along with Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo. It caused a sense of panic among the clubs, with even a player asking UEFA to take steps for prevention. Now even the president of PSG, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, and UEFA have raised concerns to clubs about a Super League.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi also being the Chairman of the European Club Association (ECA) has always opposed Saudi’s entry into UEFA. The recent news has added to his frustration. With its multi-billion dollar PIF, Saudi is ready to invest in soccer just like they are doing in other sports.
PSG’s President and UEFA are worried that the Middle East will create a sort of Super League. And they’ve made a few phone calls warning several other European bosses too. With the kind of signings they made in the summer, it seems like the most likely option that could work too! Whether the tournament would involve clubs from other Asian associations or all the world’s biggest clubs is not known yet. The League, as per the report, suggests that it will compete with the UEFA Champions League.
🚨 Nasser Al-Khelaifi and UEFA have made calls to European club bosses to warn them about a potential threat.
They are worried Saudi Arabia could create a Super League, which would compete with the Champions League, with the bottomless pit of money they have.
(Source: BILD) pic.twitter.com/JBzTdRIEln
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) October 10, 2023
With an annual viewership of a few hundred million, the UCL attracts viewers from all over the globe. But since the number of Asian soccer fans is also huge, Saudi’s suspected new plan for the sport may pull them with a Super League in Asia itself.
Read More – Fed Leftover Food to a Hungry Cristiano Ronaldo in Childhood, Lady Details Encounter With Al Nassr Star
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar will probably be the faces!
The earlier attempts at a Super League by the big clubs of Europe got a severe backlash from the fans. That surely caused a lot of repercussions a few years ago. With the global fanbase being divided over the subject, a few European clubs still like the look of it. Notably, Manchester City had pulled out of the deal early. However, this time, it could involve Asian teams, which may differ from the European Super League. But one thing is definitely sure, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar would be the face of the tournament to gain traction.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who unexpectedly moved to Saudi Arabia in January, has already made an enormous impact. But the rise of the Super League would mean an entirely different level of approach targeting the whole continent. However, fans are still waiting to hear more, as the plans and details of the league are not known yet.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
WATCH THIS STORY: Cristiano Ronaldo and All About His Pets